Jelly Belly's Brad Huff showed his criterium legs have arrived just in time for the peak of the season. He was up against teams with plenty of lead-out strength, including the Kelly Benefit Strategies squad. The green team took control of the pack with six laps to go hoping to set up its ace youngsters Jake Keough or Canada's David Veilleux, but Huff took a risk that paid off.

Coming into the second turn with nearly one kilometre still to go, Huff leapt out of the pack and was able to hold his power all the way to the line to finish just ahead of Hilton Clarke (Fuji-Servetto) and Karl Menzies (OUCH Pro Cycling).

Astana's Chris Horner made his return to racing after his non-selection for the Tour de France, but in the wake of the bunch sprint finished solidly mid-pack.

Numainville nabs women's win

Joelle Numainville won the women's criterium with a powerful kick to the line to best seasoned champion Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) and Sarah Caravella (Alan Factory Team). The Kenda sprinter just returned from winning the women's road race at the Pan American Championships in Mexico.